Hey, This Is What They Call Positive Energy

One step, then another.

The One-Eyed Demonic Wolf moved very slowly. Blood trickled from its body with every step.

As it drew closer, Xu Fang could even see scraps of clothing caught in its gaping maw, and smell the revolting, warm stench of blood.

Without a moment's hesitation, Xu Fang turned and ran, snatching up a handful of pebbles as he went.

Whenever the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf was in so much pain that it wanted to eat a spirited young man to replenish its energy, Xu Fang would hurl a pebble at it and flip it the middle finger, successfully drawing its hatred back to him.

The One-Eyed Demonic Wolf was about to lose its mind!

Have you no manners?

You're about to die, so why are you still acting so tough?!

The One-Eyed Demonic Wolf was beside itself with rage. It tried to quicken its pace and swallow the loathsome human whole, but the wider its strides, the more the pain in its soul forced it to slow down.

A man and a wolf made their slow way toward the city. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought he was taking his dog for a walk.

In the distance, Xu Fang spotted a man wearing the uniform of the Magic Association.

He let out a long breath. At last, he was safe.

All he had to do now was sit back and watch.

"Wicked beast, cease this rampage!!!"

Xu Fang could feel an immense force of elemental energy gathering in the air. A gale swept fallen leaves into a spinning vortex.

"Wind Disc!"

First came a crushing weight that made it hard to breathe. Then, suddenly, it was as if the air had been sucked away.

Dark clouds gathered overhead. The branches and leaves of the evergreen trees were like razor-sharp blades as a massive tornado seized the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf and carried it high into the sky.

The One-Eyed Demonic Wolf struggled with all its might, but against the invisible, intangible gale, all its efforts were futile.

"Raging Waves!"

Another Intermediate Magic spell. Torrential water joined the slaughter, making for a magnificent and spectacular sight.

"So this is Intermediate Magic?"

Xu Fang felt his breathing quicken. He stared wide-eyed, unwilling to miss a single detail.

When he used to read novels, he'd viewed everything from an omniscient perspective. He'd thought that Super Level mages were everywhere, Advanced Level mages were a dime a dozen, and Intermediate Level mages were nothing but cannon fodder.

But now that two Intermediate Magic spells had appeared right before his eyes, their astonishing destructive power seized his mind in an instant.

So powerful... I want that power!

"I'm Yang Zuohe of the Magic Association. Did you send up that Light Signal?" Yang Zuohe wore a dark-blue shirt, and a Star Map was slowly fading beneath his feet, its brilliance dazzling.

Pop!

Using the little magic energy he'd recovered, Xu Fang rubbed his hands together and conjured a tiny flame.

A Fire Element mage?

Yang Zuohe instinctively looked toward the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf's corpse. Its maw was dark red, still stark against the water that had washed over it.

There was no need to ask. The Light Mage had already sacrificed himself...

"Sorry I arrived too late." Yang Zuohe sighed. "You were very brave to keep the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf at bay on your own for so long."

"I wouldn't call myself brave. It's a mage's duty." Xu Fang pointed back the way he'd come. "I could've escaped, but there were a few ordinary people... I couldn't just leave them there."

Hey, this is what they call positive energy.

Unconcealed admiration flashed across Yang Zuohe's face.

He'd worked for the Magic Association for many years and met all sorts of mages. But there were very few like Xu Fang, willing to risk facing a One-Eyed Demonic Wolf to protect ordinary people!

He took out his phone, called one of his subordinates, and told them to clean up the battlefield and take the few spirited young men who were babbling nonsense home.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

"This corpse belongs to you. What would you like to do with it?" Yang Zuohe was a decent man; he had no intention of claiming the spoils for himself.

"If it's convenient, could you send it to the Hunter's Alliance for me?" Xu Fang smiled. "I came here because I'd taken a mission to exterminate Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats. I need something to show for it."

"Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats?"

Yang Zuohe frowned. "That's outrageous! The Hunter's Alliance is getting worse and worse. How could they make such a serious mistake? Don't worry. I'll make sure they compensate you in full. Also, on behalf of the Magic Association, I'd like to commend you. Your reward will be sent to you as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Mr. Yang."

Yang Zuohe didn't stay long. He had plenty of other matters to attend to.

A vicious creature like the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf had appeared in a residential area. They couldn't afford to be careless!

The commotion caused by the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf finally died down. With a record of going toe-to-toe with one, Xu Fang successfully applied for Junior Hunter status—and earned an admiring look from the young lady at the front desk.

From then on, he wouldn't have to report in before heading out into the wild.

He didn't take any more missions for the rest of the winter break. His battle with the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf had exposed just how shallow his foundations were.

No matter how powerful his cheat was, he was still a Primary Level One Mage. He'd only recently learned to release magic, and a few spells were enough to drain his mana.

He'd made it through unscathed this time partly thanks to luck. What about next time?

So Xu Fang devoted the rest of his break to meditation. Through strenuous practice, his Spiritual Power and magic energy gradually filled up, drop by drop.

Whatever you did, if you gave it your full attention, time flew by.

The new school term was almost here.

Xu Fang changed into his school uniform and walked through the school gates, ready to welcome the new semester.

The classroom buzzed with chatter. The students were excitedly bragging and showing off their progress with magic.

"Not to brag, but I'm not far from controlling seven Star Seeds."

"Seriously? How many have you controlled?"

"Two."

"Get lost! You've only controlled two, and you think you can act tough in front of me, a three-Star Seed powerhouse?"

"No way, no way. Surely there's still someone who hasn't controlled four Star Seeds yet? Turns out I'm the genius!"

"Heh!" Mu Bai sneered and shook his head, as if he couldn't be bothered to speak.

As his number-one lackey, Zhao Kun San immediately jumped in and mocked everyone in the room. "I'm dead. You're seriously showing off that few Star Seeds?"

The others weren't having it.

They could accept being mocked by anyone—but him?

Someone immediately spoke up. "Oh, Third Brother, don't tell me having a big face means you've got no shame. Come on, tell your brothers: how many Star Seeds have you controlled?"

"How many I've controlled doesn't matter." Zhao Kun San puffed out his chest. "Our Mu Bai has already controlled five Star Seeds. Five! Next semester, he'll be able to link them into a Star Track and cast Elementary Magic whenever he wants!"

"Holy crap, what a monster!"

"That gap is hopeless."

"Great Master Mu Bai, are you taking disciples? Teach me how to control Star Seeds!"

"I thought Xu Zhao Ting from the neighboring class was already invincible in the whole school. I didn't realize Mu Bai was even more impressive!"

Listening to his classmates, Mu Bai felt like he was floating.

Zhao Kun San might look old and stupid, and he might often act like a useless teammate, but Mu Bai would give him full marks for playing along when it came to showing off.

It was only natural. He, Mu Bai, was a scion of the Mu Family. He had to carry himself with the grace and refinement of the upper classes. He couldn't jump in when someone said "two" or "three" and shout, "You bunch of losers, I've already got five!" That would be so low-class, completely at odds with his image as a refined young gentleman.

See how much better this was? With Zhao Kun San around, Mu Bai could show off properly and enjoy himself.

"Green Tea Man!"

Mo Fan lay sprawled over his desk, feeling disgruntled.

What was the point of controlling Star Seeds? Being able to release magic was what really mattered. But he couldn't let everyone know about his Lightning Element, so all he could do was watch Mu Bai bask in the limelight...

It was driving him crazy!